Awesome Mother's Day gifts on a student budget

On a tight student budget, certain gifts such as beauty products, clothes and tech gadgets can be too costly. Instead, here are suggestions for inexpensive gifts to show Mom how much you care:

College apparel

What good mother doesn’t want to celebrate her kid’s college? While items such as sweatshirts can be expensive, mugs and T-shirts typically cost relatively little, and shipping costs usually are not too high. These kinds of gifts also serve a dual purpose: a great present for Mom that also adds a bit of college pride to your home.

Customizable photo book

An unusual gift that Mom probably hasn’t seen before, custom photo books are simple to make, with the help of such sites as Shutterfly, which allows users to design books for less than $15. Throw some family photos together, add a few custom messages, and you have a great gift, all without leaving your computer. If a photo book doesn’t sound appealing, other options include photo calendars and stationary, which Mom is sure to love.

Something homemade

If there’s one thing mothers love, it’s gifts that their children have made by hand. Consider drawing, painting or sculpting your mom something — even if you’re not an artist, she’s sure to appreciate the effort. And if you’d like something a little higher quality, try shopping around on sites such as Etsy that sell handcrafted goods.

Breakfast in bed, over Skype

If you’re still away at school for Mother’s Day, use a local food delivery service to send your mom a meal as she wakes up — and then Skype with her as she enjoys her breakfast. While the meal might not be as delicious as something a little more homemade, it’s really the thought that counts. Even better, you can order the same thing and join in!